There’s a lot to be said for packing a brown bag lunch, rolling down the windows and hitting the open road.

You don’t need to know where you’re headed – you just need to enjoy the ride. There are plenty of amazing scenic routes to take in Massachusetts when you feel like that road trip itch, but the Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway is one of the most picturesque and interesting. Read on to learn why you absolutely need to make this road to nowhere in particular a definite part of your plans this season.

The road extends from Tekoa Mountain in the east to Laurel Lake in the west. It was actually the country’s first vehicle road over a mountain range, and a picturesque spot on the summit of Morey Hill in Becket commemorate’s the road’s completion in 1910.

The road is 33 miles long, so bring some snacks and a sense of adventure! And if you’re up for a bit more driving, be sure to look at our list of the 7 most scenic roads in the state.

This road is a relic of a slower and less complicated period in Massachusetts history.
Flickr/cecily dyer
You’ll be guided past unspoiled natural terrain and beautiful rural farmland, all the while winding your way through some of the most historic sites in the state.
Flickr/banspy
The Keystone Arches along the Jacob's Ladder Byway are simply stunning.
Flickr/banspy

These railroad 75-foot bridges in Chester are just one of the interesting finds along this route. What makes these bridges unique is that they are actually constructed solely from fitted blocks – only the bridge’s own weight keeps it together. Despite this, the arches have supported trains up to 500,000 pounds since their construction in 1841.

The railroad tracks that extend across the top of the Keystone Double Arch bridge are walkable, but watch out for trains!
Flickr/banspy
The Sanderson Brook Falls are an amazing detour that you should definitely consider making.
Flickr/Josh Kesner

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Located in the Chester-Blandford State Forest contains, Sanderson Brook and Goldmine Brook are two of the region’s most scenic waterfalls. The byway runs right by this awesome spot.

This road is also home to one of the nation's most breathtaking stages – Jacob's Pillow.
Flickr/MOTT
Flickr/MOTT

Hailed as a “hub and mecca of dancing” by TIME Magazine and “one of America’s most precious cultural assets” by dance icon Mikhail Baryshnikov, Jacob’s Pillow is definitely one of the most beautiful outdoor venues in the country. If you have the chance, be sure to catch a show here on your trip. Not in the mood to stop? No problem. This area is gorgeous enough as viewed from your car window.

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled as you drive through Lee center for some absolutely stunning 19th and 20th century architecture.
Flickr/MOTT
If you don't feel like making any detours at all, this byway is beautiful enough to keep you excited for every new bend in the road.
Flickr/6SN7
All in all, the Jacob's Ladder Scenic Byway is definitely one "road to nowhere" that will deliver one unforgettable, beautiful adventure.
Flickr/banspy
Western Massachusetts Scenic Byways

The road extends from Laurel Lake in Lee to Tekoa Mountain in Russell. Check out the official Massachusetts scenic byways site for a complete route and list of points of interest along the Jacob’s Ladder Scenic Byway.

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